The PitchIn an effort to put an end to uncomfortable, jarring sensations when you miss the sweet spot, Wilson has engineered the Three BLX with basalt fibers, proprietary material made from natural volcanic rock that resists vibration, according to the company. The Three also features Amplifeel 360, a new handle technology that further enhances comfort and stability, as well as Wilson’s patented Triad construction, which separates the hoop and the handle with a dampening material for even more comfort.How It TestedThe Wilson Three is a grease gun in the hands of players with punchy, slow swings: It really lubes the ball through the court. Beginner-level testers uninterested in developing longer strokes approved of the stick’s oversized head and light, lively performance, which they said together took care of most of the heavy lifting when serving and hitting flat and slice groundstrokes. What’s more, many,including Bruce Levine, praised the stick’s feel for its size. “The Three gives solid feedback for a game-improvement racquet,” says Levine. “It doesn’t rattle your hand on impact.” Ultimately, beginners depending on extra oomph and reach from their racquet found relief in the 3’s turbo-charged performance.

Bottom LineOptimal for baseliners with slower, shorter technique, the 3 packs plenty of power and comfort.